Why visit
Banjul is a small capital on an island at the mouth of the Gambia River. It is compact, practical, and usually explored alongside nearby beach areas, birding sites, and river heritage stops.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Banjul is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Gambia. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Banjul, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Gambia better matches the trip style.
Banjul at a glance
City population
37k
Elevation
5 m
16 ft
Time zone
UTC+0
Africa/Banjul
Airport
BJL
Banjul International Airport
Gambia at a glance
Country center
13.5°, -16.6°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
10,689 km²
4,127 mi²
Subregion
Western Africa
Currency
dalasi (D)
GMD
Dial
+220
Language
English
Demonym
Gambian
Internet
.gm
UN
Member state
ISO code
GM / GMB
Where in the world
13.5° - -16.6°
Gambia
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Banjul is located on St Mary's Island at the mouth of the Gambia River.
- It is one of mainland Africa's smallest national capitals by city population.
- The British founded the city in 1816 as Bathurst, a base for suppressing the Atlantic slave trade.
- The Gambia is the smallest mainland African country, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River surrounded almost entirely by Senegal.
- The country was a major node of the transatlantic slave trade: Kunta Kinteh Island (formerly James Island) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bordering Gambia
Traveler notes
- Arch 22 is the city's most visible landmark
- Albert Market gives a busy introduction to daily trade
- River trips and birding sites sit close to the capital area
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Banjul
What currency is used in Banjul?
Banjul uses the dalasi (D), ISO code GMD.
What languages are spoken in Gambia?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for Gambia?
The calling code is +220.
When is the best time to visit Banjul?
Nov–Apr. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Banjul?
Banjul International Airport (IATA: BJL).
Other Africa destinations
Egypt
Egypt pairs the Giza pyramids, Luxor temples, and Abu Simbel with Red Sea reefs at Dahab and Hurghada. A Nile cruise is the classic seven-night frame; Cairo adds the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Equatorial Guinea
Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, split between the mainland and Bioko island. Pico Basilé rises above Malabo, and the southern Bioko beaches host nesting sea turtles.
Eritrea
Eritrea's capital Asmara is a UNESCO-listed time capsule of Italian modernist architecture, and the Dahlak Archipelago holds nearly untouched Red Sea reefs. Independent travel is tightly controlled and permits are required outside Asmara.
Eswatini
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) packs rhino tracking in Hlane, the Malolotja highlands, and a living monarchy's ceremonial calendar into one of Africa's smallest countries. It slots neatly into a South Africa road trip.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia is a rare destination where culture travel still feels like discovery. Rock-hewn churches at Lalibela, the Danakil Depression, the Simien mountains, and a food scene centered on injera and coffee ceremonies.
Gabon
Gabon keeps almost 90 percent of its land under forest and made 13 national parks in one stroke in 2002. Loango is the famous one: forest elephants and buffalo walking ocean beaches, plus surfing hippos in the right season.